Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘FLOR183733’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Dreamer’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple/violet with a darker purple/violet labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘FLOR183733’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘FLOR183733’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR183733’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR183733’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2000 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Luchia Pink’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘(Otohime×Yukimai)’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis‘FLOR183733’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2008 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in November, 2008 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘FLOR183733’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are purple/violet with a darker purple/violet        labellum;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘FLOR183733’, the femaleparent ‘Luchia Pink’ has purple flowers and they are about 11 cm insize, the male parent ‘(Otohime×Yukimai)’ has white colored flowers andthey are about 11 cm high, whereas the flowers of ‘FLOR183733’ arepurple/violet and are about 10 cm high.

Presently, the parental cultivars, to which a comparison has beenprovided above, are the most commercially similar to ‘FLOR183733’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR183733’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘FLOR183733’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘FLOR183733’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘FLOR183733’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘FLOR183733’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘FLOR183733’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘FLOR183733’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of‘FLOR183733’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during theflowering phase of ‘FLOR183733’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22°C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing‘FLOR183733’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘FLOR183733’ from potting size is between10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘FLOR183733’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Luchia Pink’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘(Otohime×Yukimai)’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-6            mm wide and green (RHS 138A) and greyed/green (RHS 189C) in            color; freely branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants            growing in tissue culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 75 cm. Spread: about 40 to 70 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Standard; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 2 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 10 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval, the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 15 to 25 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 7 to 9 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS N137A). Under            side: green (RHS 137A).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N137A). Under side: green (RHS 138A).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Raceme.—Quantity per plant: about 1 to 2. Number of flowers            per raceme: about 8 to 18. Length: about 65 cm. Diameter:            about 5 mm.        -   Peduncle.—Diameter: about 4 mm. Strength: strong. Aspect:            upright. Texture: glabrous and smooth. Color: brown (RHS            200A) with yellow/green (RHS 146A).        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 25 mm. Diameter (at            midpoint): about 18 mm. Shape: oval. Color: purple (RHS            N77B) with yellow/green (RHS 146D).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 2            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2. Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 70 to 95 mm. Diameter: about 80 to 110 mm. Quantity            and arrangement: three petals and three sepals that are            trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are            more pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped. Apex: oval/round.            Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Base: broadly ovate.            Length: about 60 mm. Width: about 50 mm. Texture: Upper            surface: smooth and satiny. Under surface: smooth and            satiny. Color (when fully opened): upper surface:            purple/violet (RHS N80B); at the base and the edges white            (RHS N155C). Under surface: purple/violet (RHS N80D); At            base and at the edges little white (RHS N155C). Labellum:            Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at            central junction of the lateral lobes and base of the            midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward about the            column; the midlobe extends forward and is terminated by 2            filiform appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes of the            labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe is triangular            with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire and weakly            undulate. Apex: oval. Length: about 20 mm. Width (not            flattened): about 24 mm. Depth of tube created by lateral            lobes of labellum: about 16 mm. Texture: Upper and under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):            Midlobe, upper surface: main color is a combination of            purple (RHS N78A) and purple/violet (RHS N80A). Corners are            greyed/orange (RHS 173A and RHS 173C). Edges are red/purple            (RHS 59A). From base a red/purple line in the center (RHS            59B). Under surface: Purple (RHS N78A) which runs into RHS            N78C. In the center some white (RHS N155B). Corners are            greyed/orange (RHS 173C) and edges are red/purple (RHS 59A).            Lateral lobes, upper surface: main color is purple/violet            (RHS N80A). At the base some white (RHs N155C) with            red/purple stripes (RHS 59A). Part of the lower edges is            greyed/orange (RHS 173A and RHS 173C). Under surface: main            color is purple/violet (RHS N80A). From base some white (RHS            NN155C). Lower edge some greyed/orange (RHS 173C). Cirrhi:            about 11 mm. Color: purple/violet (RHS N80A) which runs into            purple (RHS N79B). Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 5 mm.            Width (not flattened): about 6 mm. Color: yellow (RHS 13A)            with red/purple spots (RHS 59A). On the sides also some            white (RHS 155B).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and            weakly cupped. Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Length:            about 45 mm. Width: about 35 mm. Apex: oval; lateral little            pointy. Texture: Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny.            Color (when fully opened): Dorsal, upper surface: main color            is purple/violet (RHS N80B with RHS N80A stripes). Base and            edges are white (RHS NN155C). Under surface: main color is            purple/violet (RHS N80D with vague stripes RHS N80B). Edges            are white (RHS NN155C) and at the base some purple/violet            (RHS N80C and RHS N80B). Lateral, upper surface: main color            is purple/violet (RHS N80B and RHS N80A). At the edges some            white (RHS NN155C). At the base a yellow/green (RHS 145D)            and green/white (RHS 157D) mark with purple/violet spots            (RHS N81A). Under surface: main color is purple/violet (RHS            N80D with vague stripes RHS N80B). Edges are white (RHS            NN155C) and at the base some purple/violet (RHS N80C and RHS            N80B). At the base a yellow/green mark (RHS 146D) and a            small purple/violet mark (RHS N80A).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 35 mm. Diameter: about 3 to 5 mm.            Texture: glabrous and smooth. Color: At the flower purple            (RHS N78B), then yellow/green (RHS 145D) with greyed/purple            (RHS 185C).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 8 mm. Diameter: about 6 mm. Color:            purple/violet (RHS N80A and RHS N80B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 1 mm. Color: orange            (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm. Diameter: about 5 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155C).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘FLOR183733’, as illustrated and described herein.